Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus and method for tying knots in suture at a interior surgical site. The apparatus comprises an elongated hollow member having a distal portion extending at an acute angle to the major longitudinal axis of the hollow member and terminating in a distal end surface, and a rod being partly flexible along its length and having a J-shaped hook at its distal end, wherein the hook is sized to grapple the suture which is to be manipulated by said device. The rod is received within the interior of the hollow member and adapted to reciprocate relative to the hollow member so that the hook can be moved between (i) an extended position wherein the mouth of the hook is spaced from the distal end surface of the hollow member by more than the thickness of the suture, whereby the suture can be grappled by the hook, (ii) an intermediate position wherein the mouth of the hook is spaced from the distal end surface of the hollow member by less than the thickness of the suture, but the interior base of the hook is spaced from the distal end surface of the hollow member by more than the thickness of the suture, whereby a suture grappled by the hook will be slidably captured to the hollow member, and (iii) a withdrawn position wherein the interior base of the hook is spaced from the distal end surface of the hollow member by less than the thickness of the suture, whereby a suture grappled by the hook will be fixedly captured to the hollow member.

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First Claim